Fractionating column equipment



June 28, 1932. B. MOCONNELL 1,865,400

FRACTIONATING COLUMN EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 27, 1930 2 6 fig. 5

49 M )5 3 /4 16 F IT A l INVENTOR.

flag. 4 fi/z'ai'ififff omzeii A TTORNEYQ Patented June 28, 1932 assume unrran sra'ras perspirorrica ELLIOTT B. MCCONNELL, OF SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOE T6 THE STANDARD OIL CQMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION 015 UHIG) FRACTIONATING COLUMN EQUIPMENT Application filed February 27, 1930. Serial No. 431,813.

This invention relates to fractionating columns as employed in distillation, and more particularly columns having plates with definite level overflows; and it is among the objects of the invention to provide a trap-out for any plate as desired, capable of accurately yielding a stream of representative composition from that plate, without disturbing the relative conditions. Another object is the provision of a trap-out for taking a side stream from a'fractionating column, regulable with exactness and indicating the position of the control. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described, and particularlypointed out in the claims, the

' following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such being illus trative however of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken, of a tractionating column in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken on a plane indicated by the line llP-lll. Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the line llllll, Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the line lVl[V, Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a fractionating or rectifying column 2 which may have an inlet 3 and an upper outlet 4, and plates 5, which may be of number as desired. Such plates are provided with constant-level overflows 6, and means for diverting the rising vapor under the liquid, such means being of any convenient form, for example bell-caps 7, the detail of which may be in accordance with any usual or preferred form. Located also on the plate is an overflow 8 leading to the plate below, at any convenient point, for instance at one side, and matching such overflow is another overflow 9 connecting to a point without the column, as for instance by a pipe 10. Controllable to open or close the overflow 8 is a member 11, which may be conveniently in the form of a slide, and guided against displacement by some suitable guideways, as guides 12. Similarly, an openable and closable control 13 is provided for the overflow 9, and maintained against displacement by suitable guideways, such as guides 14. The slides 11 graduations 18 on the rod 16, such being on a F scale of percentage, or of dimension, or as desired. A weir or level 19 may be located between the trap-out and the bells if desired.

Such a trap-out may be installed on any of the plates as preferred, and as applied for instance to the fractionating column working on distillate vapors of mixed character such as petroleum, it may be employed to give a side stream at any of the plate points desired. Regulation of the closure 13 may be had by means of the hand control 17, the clo sure being set for such flow as may be required, the gaugel18' serving to indicate the position.

in this manner, side streams may be taken from selected plates of the column, and prodnets of corresponding character may be selectively had in a manner to avoid interfering with the relative conditions in operation.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the means stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a device of the character described, a closed shell,'a substantially horizontal plate therein having an opening at overflow level,

another opening at overflow level, a conduit leading from said last-named opening to a point outside the shell, a regnlable closure for each of said openings, and means for proportionally regulating the extent of opening of one of said openings and closing the 0t er and vice versa.

2. In a device of the character described, a closed shell, a substantially horizontal plate 1 "therein having a plurality of bell-cap overflow openings, a pair of openings at overflow level, one leading to the under-side of the plate and the other leading to a point outside a slide controlling each of said last-named I openings, said slide being connected such that one" opening is proportionally closed as the other is opened and vice versa, means for settin said slides, and means for indicating the position thereof.

I 3. In a device of the character described,

a closed shell, a substantially horizontal plate having an opening at overflow level, another opening at overflow level discharging to a point outside the shell, joined closure means controlling said openings to proportionally close one as the other is opened and vice versa, a rod for operating said closure means, a stufling box thereon, and means for regulably setting said rod.

' 4, In a device of the character described, a closed shell, a substantially horizontal plate having an opening at overflow level, another opening at overflow level discharging to a point outside the shell, joined slide covera means controlling said openings to proportionally close one as the other is opened and vice versa, a rod for operating said slide means, a stufiing box thereon, means for regulably setting said rod and means for externally indicating'the position of said slide means. lg'gned by me this 13th day of February, '0 ELLIOTT B, MQCONNELL. 

